System and method for widget-assisted setup of a universal remote control

A media device, comprising:

• a processing device;
• a first communication interface coupled to the processing device;
• a second communication interface coupled to the processing device;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processing device, the memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processing device, cause the media device to perform steps comprising:
• causing a plurality of interactive prompts to be displayed in a display device coupled to the first communication interface wherein the plurality of interactive prompts are used to elicit one or more prompt response communications from the controlling device for reception via the second communication interface to identify at least a brand of the display device;
• in response to at least the brand of the second controllable appliance being identified via the one or more of the prompt response communications, repeatedly causing a setup communication to be transmitted to the controlling device via the second communication interface to cause a different code data for controlling a same observable functional operation associated with at least the identified brand of the display device to be provisioned on the controlling device and causing a further interactive prompt to be displayed in the display device wherein the further interactive prompt is used to elicit a further communication from the controlling device to confirm that a transmission of a command from the controlling device to the display device, created via use of a currently provisioned one of the different code data, caused the display device to perform the observable functional operation;
• in response to receiving a positive confirmation communication via the second communication interface that the transmission of the command from the controlling device to the display device caused the display device to perform the observable functional operation, causing the repeated provisioning of the different code data on the controlling device to be stopped whereupon the controlling device is configured to use the currently provisioned one of the different code data that caused the display device to perform the observable functional operation when the controlling device is subsequently utilized to transmit a command to control the observable functional operation of the display device via a subsequent activation of an input element of the controlling device that is associated with the observable functional operation of the display device.